It’s no secret that I despised The Afterparty. For those who are unaware, this complex and vexing series falls into the category of a modern murder mystery. The first season unfolds at an extravagant high school reunion afterparty, where not everyone survives the night. This prompts the arrival of the skilled detective Danner, portrayed by the talented Tiffany Haddish, to delve into the matter. Danner has an unconventional approach to her investigation – she examines the “mind movies” of each suspect. Essentially, everyone present tells their perspective of the story, but in different film genres, from cheesy romantic comedies to action-packed flicks. While the concept is interesting, the first season was overly self-satisfied. It lacked humor and often felt improvised. So, why should we give its second season a chance?
The Afterparty is an anthology, guaranteeing fresh crimes, captivating puzzles, dynamic characters, and the opportunity to shine in each new season. The second run, consisting of ten episodes, is already proving to be an improvement over its predecessor. Of course, challenges may arise in the future, but for now, we start with a stranger’s wedding.
The morning after this momentous occasion, the groom, portrayed by Zach Woods, tragically ceases to breathe. This unfortunate turn of events casts a shadow over the newly formed marriage, leaving the widow, Grace (Poppy Liu), devastated. Edgar, still dressed in his wedding suit, appears to have passed away peacefully in his sleep. To further complicate matters, his pet lizard has also met its demise. The family and friends of the deceased gather at a grand country mansion, the type often seen in fictitious American weddings portrayed on TV and in movies. You can likely anticipate the chaos that lies ahead.
News spreads of Edgar’s unexpected death, causing an air of suspicion to envelop the mansion’s occupants. Even Edgar’s eccentric mother, Isabel (Elizabeth Perkins), his dubious business partner, Sebastian (Jack Whitehall), and his arrogant father-in-law, Feng (Ken Jeong), seem guilty. Aniq (Sam Richardson), the anxious escape room designer from the previous season, has attended the wedding as a guest. He is currently dating Zoë (Zoe Chao), the bride’s sister and a fellow veteran from the first season.
Is it possible that Edgar’s demise was due to natural causes? Highly unlikely. Edgar, a wealthy and eccentric individual, is not well-liked by many. Furthermore, the untimely death of the reptile, poisoned no less, serves as a damning clue. Foul play is undoubtedly involved, prompting Aniq to contact Danner, his former colleague, to bring her up to speed. Danner, having retired from the force after solving the murder in season one, is now working on a book about the case. However, her interest in the mysterious death of Edgar and his lizard remains.
Once again, The Afterparty presents its own version of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, as Danner investigates by reviewing the “mind movies” of each individual involved. Aniq’s account of events could pass as a classic romantic comedy, while Grace’s narrative takes on the form of a period drama spoof. Be on the lookout for the upcoming film noir segment, featuring one of the guests, Travis (Paul Walter Hauser), an ex-boyfriend of Grace’s, reliving the night in the style of a gritty crime drama.
This time around, the jokes land more effectively, and the performances are crisper. The wedding setting offers far more enjoyment compared to the tedious high school reunion of the previous season. These significant improvements should not be diminished. However, don’t get overly excited just yet.
Similar to its predecessor, The Afterparty falls somewhere between the thrilling and witty humor of Only Murders in the Building and the clever and enigmatic intrigue of Knives Out. It will never reach the brilliance of the former or the humor of the latter. In most instances, it seems like an uncomfortable fusion of both. Regrettably, The Afterparty fails to establish a distinct identity of its own, which is a disappointment considering the incredibly talented cast. Walter Hauser delivers a superb performance, as seen in last year’s Black Bird. Whitehall and Perkins visibly relish their roles, and Haddish shines as the sassy former detective who possesses an acute ability to recognize idiocy. Richardson also impresses as her unintentional partner in crime-solving.
Perhaps the third season will find the perfect balance. For now, The Afterparty is available for streaming on Apple TV+ and receives a rating of three stars.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
